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THREE WEEKS LATER~ MID-MORNING

“Here’s a perfect reading nook, girls.”

Aramintawaited until the twins had gingerly settled into the overstuffed burgundy armchairs with their borrowed books before placing their hot chocolates and napkins on the rosewood side table between the tufted chairs.

Thoughthey were ten years of age, Araminta wasn’t comfortable leaving her sisters alone all day, so she had brought them with her.

SirWaddlesby had tried to accompany her too, the poor thing.

Hemissed her.

Asshe herded him into his pen earlier, she’d promised him a pleasant cuddle tonight and a long walk tomorrow morning.

Thethings she did for that silly goose.

Hehad objected, and loudly too, his distressed honks gradually turning into sad chirpings. Never had he endured such regular confinement. Pity for his plight cramped Araminta’s chest.

Callidoraventured a sip of her chocolate. “’Tis delicious.”

Aramintahad acquiesced to the twins’ pleas for the sweet beverage, an indulgence she could ill afford. However, the girls would spend the next several hours in the store. It didn’t seem right not to purchase something, even though the coffeehouse hadn’t officially opened.

Dariushad finished his final preparations last week and quietly started permitting patrons to peruse the shelves, make purchases, and order coffee and dainties. The store had seen regular traffic too, despite not formally being open.

Fivecrates of books had arrived a couple of days ago, surprising Araminta, who thought she too was prepared. The crates contained gifts for the library from Darius’s parents. Not that she wasn’t grateful for the unexpected bounty—naturally, she was.

Althoughthe Duke and Duchess of Latham’s generosity quite delighted her, it also added strain to her already over-burdened schedule. It meant additional hours of work cataloging the recent additions, preparing bookplates, and rearranging the shelves she’d already readied. It also meant she had needed to ask Darius for additional shelf space. He could hardly refuse, given his parents’ munificence.

Notthat he had appeared the least churlish or belligerent. In truth, he’d been nothing but accommodating and kind. So much so that Araminta’s doubts about his willingness to help launch Woodhaven’s library had evaporated.

Whenone spent as much time with someone as she had with Darius these past weeks, one either grew to admire or dislike a person.

Sheassuredly did not dislike his lordship.

No, she’d discovered a kind, generous man with a delightful sense of humor and estimable moral character. Combined with his dashing good looks, even she, a reverend’s pious daughter who rarely ever looked at a man twice, took extra care with her appearance.

You are a foolish twit, AramintaLiliannaEmmaWeldon.

He is not for you.

Notif EudoraClarke had her way.

Ifonly Darius knew the real Eudora. The petty, mean, vindictive girl who flirted and teased and then tossed men aside when someone richer and more influential showed an interest.

Howcould Araminta compete with Eudora’s elegant beauty and petite perfection? Not to mention her beautiful gowns and perfectly styled hair?

Itwould be best to put aside her growing fascination with the handsome lord.

Fareasier said than done. Spending hours and hours with him over the past weeks had allowed a tiny sprout of attraction to take root and blossom into full-blown captivation.

Notthat Darius would ever know.

Afterall, if Araminta could hide her secret identity from her father, she could certainly subdue her emotions for the charming bookshop owner. Mayhap if she told herself that often enough and long enough, she’d convince herself the tarradiddle was the truth.

And fairies clean the pews each Sunday after Papa’s sermon.

Theidea of Eudora sinking her talons into Darius, winning him over with her false smiles and contrived demureness, made Araminta physically ill.

Hedeserved better.